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The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg invited teachers from school districts in the region to a program entitled “Infusing Technology in the Classroom.” The event was sponsored by the Pitt-Greensburg Education Department with funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and Pitt-Greensburg’s Chapter of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA).

The event, was held Monday, January 27, in Pitt-Greensburg’s Wagner Dining Hall, featured speaker was Kristin “KC” Testerman. Testerman  is certified in elementary and secondary education. In addition to 16 years of experience as a classroom teacher, she is the Educational Technology Integrator for CCIU’s PA3 MSP project. She also served as a Technology Integrator for Solanco and Coatesville schools.

“Using technology in the classroom lends itself well to engaging learners in a more active way. We are also accentuating a learning style called inquiry-based learning. In an inquiry-based learning environment, the teacher becomes the facilitator, rather than a lecturer. Shifting roles from lecturer to a facilitator in a technology-rich environment requires teachers to develop a new skill set,” explained Jeanne Moore, EdD, assistant professor of Education at Pitt-Greensburg and chair of the event.

Testerman demonstrated the proper and appropriate use of technological devices for instructional purposes. She also explained the value of using computers, iPads, cell phones, and other common digital devices in the classroom. She also provided the attendees with apps, programs, QR codes, as well as an understanding of how to use them to engage students with content.

“Teachers must make sure that the curriculum they deliver is based on state and federal standards, however by conveying the content through an inquiry-based classroom, teachers guide students in becoming independent in their learning. By using technology to enhance these classrooms, teachers are modeling for students and allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity,” Moore continued. “Technological aids are more than just bells and whistles in our classrooms. These tools offer our teachers and our learners a global reach to information. I am excited about the content of this workshop in that it reaches many levels of educators: higher education professors, teachers from kindergarten through grade 12 teachers, and pre-service educators. Hopefully, the transfer to actual classrooms will take place with enthusiasm.”

Testerman added, “In today’s educational platform, teachers need to harness the power of technology and social media. Teachers and administrators need to become more adept at Twitter, and Facebook, and blogging, essentially Web 2.0 tools. Educators can use the power of a PLN (Personal Learning Network) within social media to help encourage digital learning across the curriculum. Everyone is aware that 21st century technology exists and is needed in the future careers of students. My goal in this workshop is to entice the audience with many tools (too many for one person to master in one session) but to have the participant find one, just one, that whets his/her appetite enough to push through the fear and discover a world of collaboration, assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, and providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning experiences for all students.”

Attendance at  the event, which is invitation only due to space limitations, were the following groups of educators in Western Pennsylvania:

·        Pitt-Greensburg Education majors;

·        Pitt-Greensburg Faculty members;

·        Members of Western Pennsylvania Regional Student Pennsylvania Education Association (SPSEA) Chapters;

·        Master Teachers from the region who assist with Pitt-Greensburg Pedagogy Classes;

·        Cooperating Teachers from the region who work with Pitt-Greensburg Student Teachers.

The following regional school districts were represented: Connellsville, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Kiski, Greater Latrobe Area, Mount Pleasant, Norwin, Penn Trafford, South Park, Southmoreland, and Yough.

On Tuesday March 18, members of the Pitt community from across the Commonwealth will gather for the annual “Pitt Day
in Harrisburg.”

For more than 15 years, “Pitt Day in Harrisburg,” has given members of the General Assembly an opportunity to talk with students, alumni, and faculty about their work and to gain a first-hand perspective of the challenges and changes facing public higher education. Members of all Pitt campuses have annually traveled to Harrisburg in order to meet with elected officials and to be the voice of Pitt. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and other Pitt friends will attend to represent all of the Pitt campuses.

Transportation will be provided to and from Harrisburg will be provided. For a complete agenda and registration information, visit http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/alumni/pittdayharrisburg

On Thursday February 20, 2014 from 7:00-9:00pm the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, sponsored by the College Democrats, will be hosting a Democratic Gubernatorial Forum for the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the governor’s race in November 2014. Five of the seven or eight Democratic candidates have either committed or expressed interest in participating. This will be a large event open to the community and public, PCN has expressed interest in providing live statewide coverage of the event, and we expect local media to be interested as well. Of course we encourage you and your students to attend and participate in any way you can with this event.

Faculty and Staff are asked that everyone be aware that the event and its set up will have some requirements of time and resources. The gymnasium will need to be set up for this event and the Hempfield Room will be reserved for significant use relating to the event on that day. Maintenance, Chartwells, the Administration, Student Services, Media Relations, and numerous other departments and offices will be helping prepare for this event. For any assistance, suggestions, and emergent issues, please contact Dr. Paul S. Adams, Associate Professor of Political Science Faculty advisor, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society  (padams@pitt.edu or ext. 9863) as soon as possible.

This very exciting event is a great way for Pitt-Greensburg to serve the community and the state as well as our students, faculty, and staff.

FAFSA Completion Sessions

Cassell Hall 210

Tuesday, February 18,   5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 2, 5:  5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Parents and students will sit down at a computer with Office of Financial Aid personnel who will guide you through the steps to complete the FAFSA form.

These sessions are designed to assist parents and students with the filing of the FAFSA form. Parents and students will sit down at a computer with Office of Financial Aid personnel there to assist. Everyone will be guided through the steps to completion, and personnel will be available to answer any questions that may arise during the process. Registration can be completed at http://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/fafsa. 

Bring the following items with you to assist you during the FAFSA Completion Session:

• Social Security Card Number

• Student’s Federal Income Tax Return

• Student’s W-2 Forms

• Parents’ Federal Income Tax Return (if dependent)

• Parents’ W-2 Forms (if dependent)

• Other records of money earned

• Foreign Tax Return (if applicable)

• Tax Return for U.S. territories (if applicable)

• Untaxed income (such as child support, workers compensation, etc) (if applicable)

• Bank statements (current)

• Investment information (if applicable)

• If not a U.S. Citizen, alien registration card/permanent resident card.

Let your loved one know you are thinking about them this Valentine's Day.

The Pitt-Greensburg Campus Bookstore is excited to offer Valentine gifts for your special someone. Stop in and you will find that love is in the air here in Chambers Hall with the assortment of Valentine balloons that we have available.

             Sweetheart Special

Choose (1) 18" Mylar ballon, (1) box of trendy heart-shaped chocolates and a Valentine card. This sweetheart deal will be assembled and ready for pickup in the store on Friday, February 14, 2014.

Please call 724.836.9928 or stop in the store to place an order not later than Thursday, February 13, 2014.

Also available:

**2 oz. heart shaped box of chocolates          $2.99

**Single 18” Mylar Balloon w/ribbon             $2.29 

**Bouquet of 3 Mylar Balloons w/ribbons     $6.00

**Oversized Valentine Balloons w/ribbon         $2.99-$4.99
 

Icing on the Cake Sale:  All PITT items that are colored pink or red—15% discount.  (Effective:  February 10-14, 2014)                                                     

The Emergency Notification System allows for a text/voice message to be dispatched to all subscribers that contains the type of emergency, locations, and instructions for subscribers.

An example of when this system would be activated is if there were a weather-related disaster that  would affect campus activities. This system is not used for campus closings due to bad roads or holiday schedule. The system is tested once each semester. Questions may be directed to the Campus Police at 724-836-9865.

Encourage your student to sign up for the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg ENS (Emergency Notification System). As a student of Pitt-Greensburg, they will want to be alerted in the event of an emergency. The system does not restrict students from entering the phone number of another person such as a parent or spouse.

Simply go to http://www.my.pitt.edu, select My Resources, Emergency Notification System. Complete the form on-line to register.

February 8-9: Delta Psi Omega will host its annual Red Eye Project, a 24-hour theater workshop during which students write, direct, and perform one-act shows. Students begin working on their projects Saturday, followed by the performances Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. The performances are open to the public.

February 13 & 14: Pitt-Greensburg students will perform their annual production of “The Vagina Monologues.” Proceeds from the performances will benefit the Blackburn Center.

February 28: The Friday Evening Music Club will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center. This event is open to the public (donation at the door).

Keep in mind that discount movie tickets to Carmike Theatre are still available in the Office of Student Services for $7 a ticket and keep checking https://upg-community.symplicity.com/ for information about organizations and events on campus.

Looking for upcoming events on campus? Click here to find more exciting events listed on the Activities Calendar.

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Christina Guzik
Secretary, University Relations and Institutional Advancement
724-836-7497
uria@pitt.edu